The Researcher Development Framework (RDF) is a professional development tool, developed by Vitae, which describes the knowledge, behaviour and attributes of successful researchers. 

The Researcher Development Team uses the RDF to design the training and development opportunities on offer each academic year. We would also encourage you to use the RDF to identify your strengths and gaps in development and prioritise and determine which training and development opportunities are most appropriate for you.

You may also want to use the RDF to discuss your professional development with your supervisory team in order to ensure that your plans are in line with what is expected both in relation to your project or thesis, and to your broader career aims.

VITAE Researcher Development Framework

An effective training and development plan will enable researchers to achieve two things:

1. to develop the appropriate knowledge and expertise to complete the thesis as a product of their research
2. to develop as a research professional with the necessary skills, attitudes and experience to succeed as a researcher 

Training and development incorporates three elements:

Discipline-specific

Discipline-specific training will often be undertaken individually or amongst a very small group of researchers who often share similar research interests or supervisors. This kind of training is specialist and led by the supervisor and the supervisory team.

Methodological/theoretical

Methodological/theoretical training is also specialist training and is led by the supervisor and the supervisory team along with specialist training providers in the Faculties who can provide resources, training and support on methodological approaches, research techniques and use of specialist facilities. For example

• Methods@Manchester
• ArtsMethods@Manchester
• Core Facilities Training 

Professional and personal 

Professional and personal training and development is offered via the Researcher Development team. This training and development ranges from support for the process of undertaking a research degree such as planning your research, writing a literature review, presenting at academic conferences and publishing in journals through to training and developing which will enable you to thrive in any career such as leadership, networking and communicating.

What constitutes development?

Professional development for research takes place in a variety of forms. It can include (but is not limited to):

• attendance and participation in workshops
• learning a new technique or
• taking part in activities such as the Three Minute Thesis Competition and taking up opportunities such as The Brilliant Club
• working through online modules and resources
• self-directed reading
• discussion with peers
• attendance and participation at conferences, supervision meetings, review panels
• participation in reading groups and researcher-led initiatives
• self-reflection

Continuing professional development (CPD) is supported by a continuous cycle of activity based on:

1. Identifying goals and objectives
2. Defining the action to be taken
3. Action taken and recorded
4. Reflection on outcome and evaluation of achievement/progress

Reflective practice

Becoming a reflective practitioner is an important part of the research process. It is crucial that researchers approach their training strategically in order to achieve an appropriate balance.

At the beginning of the research programme, researchers are required to identify their training needs and to develop a training plan, in consultation with their supervisor(s). The training plan should be updated at the beginning of every academic year and provides a record and a framework for discussing and documenting process and development with the thesis.

Maintaining a research diary/blog

Alongside maintaining a training plan/log, researchers are actively encouraged to keep a research diary or a blog. Reflecting on every aspect of their postgraduate research Experience helps researchers to record their progress and develop a greater awareness of knowledge and expertise.

Research diaries allow space for assessment of strengths and successes as well as enabling researchers to identify any weak areas and make steps to manage these, and perhaps overcome them completely. This method of self-appraisal is a valuable attribute for researchers at all levels. The RDF lists self-reflection under Domain B as a crucial personal quality for research.